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Moville soldier off to Chad 29.01.09
Local Lieutenant joins
peacekeeping force in Africa
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent
TWENTY eight year old Moville Lieutenant Martin
Crumlish is shipping out to Chad next week to join
up Irish Army's peace-keeping force in the troubled
North African state.
Lieutenant Crumlish will fly out from Dublin on
February 8 with the 99th Infantry Battalion, in
relief of the 98th. Lieutenant Crumlish is set to
remain in Chad until the middle of June.
The role of the Irish Army in Chad is to maintain a
safe and secure environment for the local population
and the displaced families who are living in refugee
camps and deter any armed elements from attacking
civilians or humanitarian organisations operating in
the area.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent, Lieutenant
Crumlish said he is confident he can help carry out
the EUFOR mission.
The Dundalk-based soldier will have command
responsibilities in Chad. He is in charge of a
platoon of 35 troops. |
"There are about 400
Irish Soldiers in the Irish base, Camp Ciara which
is near the town of Goz Beida and I am in charge of
one of the three platoons in APC [Armoured Personnel
Carrier] Company. There are three companies in the
Battalion.
“Patrols last 5-6 days at a time. Normally we will
be patrolling in APC's but we also have helicopters
for other types of operations that we may be tasked
with. Apart from our normal patrols, we might have |
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to secure a village for
a specific operation or react to whatever the
situation is at the time. The area we patrol is
about the size of Munster and Chad itself is about
the twice the size of France," said the O'Gara
Villas, Moville man speaking ahead of his first
posting overseas.
"I am aware of the dangers. The first Battalion that
went out there had a few incidents where they came
under machine gun and mortar fire and had to deal
with that but I wouldn't really worry too much. We
are well trained and have combat body armour and
armoured vehicles that protect us against shrapnel
and small-arms fire."
Lieutenant Crumlish says the 50 degree midday heat
and long periods on ration pack food will take a bit
of getting used to but added, ‘it'll be a good
experience’ Aside from his girlfriend, family and
friends the trooper says he will miss being able to
go out to the pub at the weekend.
"They call it the Dead Heart of Africa, nothing
about the place is anything like Ireland so despite
what I've learned from people who've been out there,
I don't think anything can truly prepare you for
what it will be like." |
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